Arsenal have been interested in signing Olympique Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for over a year now. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. And now, the French club are said to have fixed a price of €45m for Guimaraes.
Arsenal are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are participating in the AFCON Cup. Maitland-Niles has been loaned to Serie A side AS Roma. This has left Mikel Arteta with just two first-team defensive midfielders – Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Xhaka’s positive COVID test has only added to Arsenal’s misery.
After a loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta noted that the Gunners were short for midfield options. The Brazilian was initially considered as a replacement for Granit Xhaka if he were to leave in the summer transfer window. However, with the Swiss international finally staying, the Gunners did not attempt to bid for Lyon’s star-man.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal would have to offer €45m to convince Lyon to sell Bruno Guimaraes. A move is on the cards, but very difficult to happen. Romano reports that Lyon are also interested in extending Guimaraes until 2026.
Arsenal are working to sign a new midfielder. Bruno Guimarães appreciated but currently not discussed as January target – deal too complicated, €45m fee. 🔴 #AFC
Arthur Melo on loan has been discussed days ago – but still no talks/contacts with Juve. Three names in the list.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2022
Earlier, it was reported by transfer expert Nicolo Schira that Edu have begun talks to secure the Brazilian midfielder. But, the deal would not be simple and Edu needs to work on convincing Aulas to sell his prized asset.
#Arsenal are really interested in #OlympiqueLyonnais’ midfielder #BrunoGuimaraes. Edu loves him and has opened talks to try to sign him. #transfers #AFC #OL
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) December 31, 2021
However, the latest reports suggest that Arsenal aren’t the only team in contention for the Brazilian’s signature. Italian side Juventus are also in the hunt, according to Goal Brazil (via Football.London). The report states that Lyon are willing to let Guimaraes leave on a loan in January, only if it includes an obligation to buy in the summer, which might put Arsenal on the front foot given the Italian side’s financial struggles.
Arsenal have largely used a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 system this season. A signing like Guimaraes would add steel to their roster and boost their team depth in a bid to finish in the top 4. Let us look at Guimaraes’ profile to see what he brings to the club.
A. Passing and Progression:
Guimaraes has played 1,454 league minutes for Lyon this season, more than any Arsenal midfielder. The Brazilian is Lyon’s primary passing outlet and ranks 97th percentile for progressive passes among midfielders over the last 365 days.
The 24-year-old is also good at making a long pass to find a teammate behind the opposition defence. He averages 10.5 successful long passes every 90 minutes. Guimaraes is also a useful progressive outlet. He averages 8.70 progressive carries every 90 minutes. Among Arsenal’s current options, only Lokonga with 6.81 carries comes close. Bruno also makes 1.23 dribbles every 90 minutes, more than any Arsenal midfielder.
| Basis (per 90 stats) | Guimaraes | Xhaka | Partey | Lokonga | Elneny |
| Pass Completion % | 87.7 | 86.5 | 86.0 | 88.7 | 92.2 |
| Passes into Final Third | 8.15 | 6.85 | 5.44 | 4.95 | 8.00 |
| Passes into Box | 1.42 | 1.20 | 0.54 | 1.43 | 0.50 |
| Progressive Passes | 7.53 | 6.41 | 5.37 | 4.51 | 1.00 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1.23 | 0.54 | 1.16 | 0.33 | 0.00 |
| Progressive Carries | 8.70 | 4.8 | 3.88 | 6.81 | 2.00 |
| Carries into Final Third | 2.65 | 0.65 | 1.36 | 1.21 | 0.00 |
| Through Balls | 0.49 | 0.22 | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| Dispossessions | 1.42 | 0.65 | 0.68 | 0.55 | 0.00 |
B. Chance Creation:
Guimaraes has no goals this season, but 5 assists across the Ligue 1 and Europa League. In the league, he has 3 assists from an xA of 2.7, higher than any Arsenal midfielder. Only Lokonga (1.43) makes more passes into the opposition penalty box every 90 minutes than Guimaraes (1.42).
The Brazilian also has 3.53 SCAs per 90 minutes, higher than any of Arsenal’s options. While Bruno may not offer the same creativity as Odegaard or Smith Rowe, he would add another dimension to the Gunners from the deeper regions.
| Basis (per 90 stats) | Guimaraes | Xhaka | Partey | Lokonga | Elneny |
| xA | 0.17 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.10 |
| Key Passes | 1.60 | 0.87 | 0.68 | 1.32 | 2.00 |
| SCA | 3.53 | 2.51 | 2.38 | 2.31 | 2.05 |
| Shots | 0.68 | 0.87 | 1.77 | 1.65 | 0.51 |
| Crosses into Box | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| Fouls Won | 3.21 | 0.87 | 0.95 | 1.32 | 0.00 |
C. Defending:
Guimares is a very hard worker. He registers over 23 pressures every 90 minutes. He also wins more tackles than any of Arsenal’s midfielders. Aerial duels is, arguably, the weakest link in the Brazilian’s defensive game, as he does not win enough duels or recover second balls. However, the 24-year-old has the required skill set to function in a double pivot alongside Partey or Xhaka.
| Basis (per 90 stats) | Guimaraes | Xhaka | Partey | Lokonga | Elneny |
| Pressures | 23.5 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 11.9 | 11.5 |
| Pressure Regains | 7.28 | 4.46 | 4.29 | 3.74 | 3.50 |
| Tackles Won | 2.28 | 1.20 | 1.70 | 1.32 | 1.00 |
| Interceptions | 1.73 | 1.52 | 1.29 | 2.09 | 2.50 |
| Fouls | 1.79 | 1.74 | 1.84 | 1.10 | 1.00 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0.74 | 1.96 | 1.09 | 1.10 | 1.00 |
| Ball Recoveries | 7.41 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 9.45 | 14.5 |
Read More:
- Arsenal Reportedly Submit £21Million Bid for Highly Rated Brazilian Midfielder
- LaLiga Club Looking to Make Loan Move for Arsenal Defender
- Arsenal Move Into Pole Position to Sign €40m Rated LaLiga Striker After Barcelona Gets Snubbed
D. Bruno Guimaraes 2021-22 Ligue 1 Percentile Radar:
What do you think of the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon to Arsenal? Will it actually happen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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